Satisfying …

[JG63]

To put a new 444SL on a 35+ year old Cortland LTD 100 - I’ve used LOTS of equipment over the years and while some brands are better than others at innovation, quality control, and hype, none have outperformed Cortland (or Cortland branded) products for me - Bravo! - I started with a 333 Moon-glow level line and graduated to the 333 WF6F “Rocket Taper” way back when -then on to the 444 Peach and SL - also the ill fated 555 and Lazer line series - I’ve had one or more of their lines at the ready for over 5 decades and trust the quality of their lines (and other gear) to this day

 

[lars]

big fan too...

 

[JG63]

big fan too...
View attachment 1641253441

That DT5F 444SL is a rare bird!

 

[lars]

i have two virgins... check out the price

 

[JG63]

i have two virgins... check out the price

View attachment 1641253442

Yup - that’s the time frame (‘87-‘93) I was a manager in a Cortland Pro Shop - sold dozens (probably more like hundreds) of these - used to offer free rigging if you bought the reel and backing - tied MANY nail knots with backing and nylon - did a lot of the mono nail knot/perfection loop connections as seen here:

 

[CRB]

I've been using cotland lines for close to 45 year. They have earned my trust.
Over the years I've even hobbled together a few for making uneak shooting lines.

 

[GoldenRfly]

On the Cortland subject…this is my original fly reel: a basic click-pawl that still works after almost 40 years. The line was never used and in surprisingly good condition. I’m teaming them together as a backup reel. Both have been idle for decades and I recently realized I need backups where durability is the key and the reels are just line holders on small streams.

 

[Bamboozle]

I started with 444 Peach lines and went to the 444SL in the early 1980's when they first appeared. However, the earliest iterations were prone to cracking so I replaced them with other non-Cortland lines.

Funny thing, nothing against Cortland (their Micron backing is the ONLY backing I'll use), but other than trying the 444 Sylk when it first came out (which also had issues), I never bought another Cortland fly line, probably because I was very happy with the alternatives.

It only goes to show you the importance of first impressions or maybe I shouldn't be so quick to try new things...

 

[JG63]

On the Cortland subject…this is my original fly reel: a basic click-pawl that still works after almost 40 years. The line was never used and in surprisingly good condition. I’m teaming them together as a backup reel. Both have been idle for decades and I recently realized I need backups where durability is the key and the reels are just line holders on small streams.
View attachment 1641253512

“ahem” - Martin built Cortland Branded reel (and a good one!) - this one is ironically spooled with a 3M Scientific Anglers WF5F Ultra in the Buckskin color 😬

 

[GoldenRfly]

Nice!! I’m actually going to try with my late father-in- law’s Shakespeare Wonderod (model 1451 7’ 9”) for fun. He wasn’t a big fly fisherman, but was pleased that I valued his old equipment. Should be fun. Glad you posted yours… it validates my decision to carry that as a backup reel.

 

[[WR]]

So, is fishing old, proven, gear a trend these days, or is it a matter of economics for many of us ?

 

[JG63]

Nice!! I’m actually going to try with my late father-in- law’s Shakespeare Wonderod (model 1451 7’ 9”) for fun. He wasn’t a big fly fisherman, but was pleased that I valued his old equipment. Should be fun. Glad you posted yours… it validates my decision to carry that as a backup reel.

My Dad’s Wonderod 8 1/2 foot 6 (or so…) weight was the rod I learned on until it deteriorated one day - then I graduated to the “Number One” Fenwick FF756 that I still fish - vintage 70’s/80’s gear survives very well into the modern age when cared for - it performs and looks cool too!

 

[JG63]

So, is fishing old, proven, gear a trend these days, or is it a matter of economics for many of us ?

Maybe a combination of the two with a side order of sentiment - most of my best memories of fly fishing are pretty well grounded in the days when I could fish 200+ days annually with the said “vintage” gear - I mistakenly thought that retirement would offer me more of the same - but there will never be the opportunities to “lay my cares aside” and go fishing anymore - too many schedules to coordinate, not enough time …

 

[GoldenRfly]

So, is fishing old, proven, gear a trend these days, or is it a matter of economics for many of us ?

I agree with @JG63’s comments. I realized after dropping my 4 wt reel in the woods that I need backups. My 4 & 5 weights are primarily line holders since most fish I catch are under 18 inches. My old Cortland reel and late father-in-law’s Pflueger 1492 are little tanks… the sentiment of their personal history combined with their functionality make for great reasons not to buy new. I already spend plenty on gear and other aspects of fly fishing. So, trend and economics play a role, but other reasons too.